Learn Basic Words and Sentences to Refer to Objects in Japanese - これ / それ / あれ
Mastering basic sentence patterns is an important first step in learning Japanese. This time, we will explore the pattern for identifying and asking about objects using “kore,” “sore,” and “are.” This article includes a vocabulary list, explanations of sentence patterns, example conversations, and practice exercises to enhance your understanding.
Part 1: Vocabulary List
Here is a list of vocabulary used in this lesson:
| Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| これ | これ | kore | this |
| それ | それ | sore | that |
| あれ | あれ | are | that (over there) |
| カード | カード | kaado | card |
| 手帳 | てちょう | techo | notebook (planner) |
| ノート | ノート | nooto | notebook (generic) |
| 新聞 | しんぶん | shinbun | newspaper |
| 鉛筆 | えんぴつ | enpitsu | pencil |
Part 2: Sentence Pattern Explanation
Basic Pattern
The basic sentence pattern for identifying objects is:
これ/それ/あれ + は + Noun + です - (Kore/Sore/Are + は + Noun + です).
Meaning: "This/That is (a noun)."
Explanation:
- Kore (これ): Used for objects near the speaker.
- Sore (それ): Used for objects near the listener.
- Are (あれ): Used for objects far from both the speaker and the listener.
- Wa (は): A particle that marks the subject of the sentence.
- Noun: Any object name like "kaado" (card) or "shinbun" (newspaper).
- Desu (です): A verb-like word that expresses existence or identification.
Question Pattern
To ask about the identity of an object, use the pattern:
Kore/Sore/Are wa nandesuka? - これ/それ/あれ + は + なんですか
Meaning: "What is this/that?" or "What is that (over there)?"
Explanation:
- Nandesuka (なんですか): A polite way to ask “what is it?”, consisting of "nan" (what) and "desuka" (polite question marker).
- This pattern is perfect for asking about objects you don’t recognize.
Part 3: Example Conversations
A: これはなんですか？- Kore wa nandesuka?
Meaning: What is this?
B: それはカードです。-
Sore wa kaado desu.Meaning: That is a card.
A: それはなんですか？- Sore wa nandesuka?
Meaning: What is that?
B: これは手帳です。- これはてちょうです。- Kore wa techo desu.
Meaning: This is a notebook.
Meaning: This is a notebook.
Part 4: Practice Exercises
Question 1
Arrange the sentences below into the correct pattern:
- “That is a card.”
- “That (over there) is a newspaper.”
Question 2
Fill in the blanks with the correct demonstrative pronoun (kore, sore, or are):
- ______はノートです。 (A notebook on the table near you.)
- ______はえんぴつです。 (A pencil in the corner of the room far from us.)
Conclusion
Basic sentence patterns like "Kore/Sore/Are + は + Noun + です" and "Kore/Sore/Are wa nandesuka" are essential for simple conversations in Japanese. With consistent practice, you’ll become more confident in understanding and using them. Keep practicing, and good luck! 😊